Triggers

This page will try to collect every ASMR trigger known. Ideally each trigger can have it's own page with descriptions and links to YouTube videos of that particular trigger, as well as people's experiences of ASMR.

Contents

Smelling certain scents can give you ASMR. Sometimes the scents can be something you remember from childhood, or maybe a cologne or candle that highly appeals to your senses. When you find a scent that you like, it can give you endless tingles :)

The 'original' ASMR trigger to be featured on YouTube, the sound of whispering kick-started the ASMR community. Earlier videos are likely to be titled 'Whisper' as opposed to ASMR, but nonetheless act as ASMR triggers, also known as 'whisper chills'.

One-to-one role-plays are also hugely popular, with videos teaching languages, origami, cooking and modelling with various media being amongst many available. Many such videos may fall into the category of 'accidental ASMR', videos not specifically made as ASMR triggers but which nonetheless trigger ASMR. Of particular note are the videos of Bob Ross, a famed American painter renowned for his soft speaking voice.

Many abstract sounds, such and the sound of ice falling into a glass, spray bottles, the ever-popular 'crinkly bag noise,' eating or chewing (and describing food), rain falling into a puddle, and many many others prove to be hugely relaxing, and very powerful ASMR triggers.

Although originally seen as an auditory phenomena, videos featuring rhythmic movements, often of the hands, have become very popular, either silent or accompanied by speech. Optical illusions such as stroboscopics or "the wagon wheel effect" (watching the phantom shadow of spinning fan blades or wheel spokes speeding up, stopping, or going in the opposite direction) can be a trigger as well. Watching movement such as travelling in a car and seeing the road at an angle coming toward you may be another example of visuals that may trigger the pleasure centers as ASMR.

Although rare, certain individuals who experience ASMR do not need stimulus from outside sources to experience it. Examples include sitting down after standing for an extended amount of time, touching the grooves inbetween the knuckles, or simply sighing heavily.